Velometer, navigational apparatus and methods for direct measurement of object&#39;s own velocity

ABSTRACT

Velometer is an apparatus that comprises of a beam of light or any other electromagnetic field (hereafter referred to simply as “light”) emitted and received in vacuum inside of an object in motion. The nature of light provides for the beam of light to retain the characteristics of its motion in vacuum regardless of the object&#39;s motion in which it (light) propagates. Consequently, the beam of light retains its position in space relative to the direction of motion of the device. Since both entities, the beam of light and the object, are located in the same frame of references, the characteristics of their motion can be compared. The result of this comparison represents the vector of the object&#39;s own velocity. The vector of velocity of the object is utilized in the navigation of the object.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. The Field of the Present Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of onboard navigational instrumentation. More specifically the present invention relates to an apparatus and methods for accurately establishing the vector of velocity of an object in motion from the information provided within and directly by the motion of the object itself and which is relative to initial spatial parameters of the object.

2. Special remarks

Due to the revolutionary nature of the present invention a device similar to the described and Claimed herein was developed and successfully tested. The test information is available on request.

3. General Background

For the purposes of this application, the terms “electromagnetic media”, “non-inertial media”, “light”, “beam of light”, “pulse of light”, “luminous flux” or equivalent terminology are meant to be synonymous unless otherwise stated. Likewise, the terms “instruments”, “devices”, “apparatus” or equivalent terminology are meant to be interchangeable unless otherwise stated. Similarly, the terms “body”, “object”, “inertial frame”, or equivalent terminology are meant to be synonymous unless otherwise stated. References made in the English measurement system are hereafter assumed to include their metric equivalent values and vice versa.

There are numerous types of apparatus were built to provide measurement of speed of objects in motion. All of them utilized one of two well-established speed measuring methods:

-   1. Measurements of speed of an object by comparing its motion     against other object(s). For instance, providing the speed-reading     of a car by measuring its motion against relatively stationary     surface of the Earth. -   2. Measurements of speed of an object via taking derivative from     measurement of its acceleration. For instance, providing     measurements of speed as a derivative from the accelerometer/gyro     measurement of acceleration.

Both of these methods have serious shortcomings such as needs for continuous outside referencing, lack of accuracy and consistency, and most of all inability to vectorize motion i.e. provide simultaneous information on speed and direction of travel from direct onboard readings of an individual instrument.

Corpuscular-wave nature of light and its independence from inertial frames of references due to photon's zero mass and zero electric charge (well defined and described in classic and quantum electrodynamics and special relativity) provide basis for development of new class of navigational instruments.

This Nature of light was first utilized back in 1925 by Michelson and Gale in their experiment of measuring speed of rotation of the Earth via two counter rotating beams of light channeled inside of the vacuum tubes that were arrange in the form of a large rectangle that was placed on the ground correspondingly to East-West and North-South axes. In 1970s developments in optics and laser technologies allow for significant improvement of Michelson-Gale experiment and development of Canterbury Ring Laser which opened doors for development of whole new family of navigational instruments, functionality of which based on Ring Laser Gyro (RLG) effects. Even though, RLG brought great improvements to space navigation, the main problems and shortcomings of the gyro based navigational technology continue to hinder abilities to successfully navigate in two and three dimensional space.

Further development in photonics opens doors for development of new class of navigational devices (in this invention) called “Velometers”. Velometer utilizes the measurements of displacement of inertial frame (e.g. a body, an object, etc . . . ) in relation to independent and straight-line propagation of light in vacuum within the same inertial frame. The ability to measure displacement of an object in relation to independent and straight-line propagation of light provides information on velocity i.e. speed and direction of travel of the object from within the object in motion itself. There is only one caveat that has to be taking into account that since there is no absolute rest in nature, the Velometer provides velocity measurements in relative terms i.e. measurements that null or discount the object's initial position and velocity in space.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention include apparatus and methods for internally detecting and measuring velocity of an object in space, i.e. speed and the direction of travel via measuring displacement of an object in relation to independent and straight-line propagation of light in vacuum within the object.

Here are listed just a few significant advantages of the present invention such as ability of the Velometer to provide spatial 2 and 3 dimensional velocity of an object in space, simplicity of operation, quality and stability of the measurements, cost effective navigation, and stealth of motion i.e. independence from outboard continuous referencing and guidance.

In a first aspect, the present invention includes a velocity determining apparatus having an emitter and a receiver positioned in the same plane at fixed distance, across from, and facing each other and where light travels in vacuum in-line with the vector of velocity. To prevent possible inconsistencies, there is vacuum contained inside of the apparatus. Since said emitter and said receiver are at fixed distance from each other and due to universally constant speed of light in vacuum, the distinctive characteristics of arriving at said receiver light (e.g. timing) correlates with the velocity of said apparatus. Placing such apparatus along two or three axes provide measurement of the velocity vector of the object in two or three-dimensional space.

Some embodiment of the present invention is similar to the described above but altered to have light travels transverse to the velocity of said apparatus. In addition, means for reflect and/or refract light are placed between said emitter and said receiver in such ways that due to motion of said apparatus light encounters elements of said means for reflect and/or refract light that alter characteristics of light (e.g. phase, frequency, modulation, etc.) in accordance with the velocity of said apparatus.

In some embodiment of the present invention a set of light emitter/receiver positioned in vacuum, in the same plane, in the same or opposing sides, at fixed distance and apart from each other. The space between the emitter and the receiver as well as the opposing surface composed of means for reflect and/or refract light. A beam of light emitted from the emitter travels transverse to the velocity of said object. Due to the object's motion along its emitter-receiver axis, the emitter moves away from its position and the receiver is brought into contact with the beam of light. Since the speed of light in vacuum is universally constant and the distance between emitter and receiver has a finite and predetermine dimension, the time elapsed from the moment when light was emitted till the time when light was received is proportional to the speed of the object.

In some embodiment of the present invention, the emitter is placed at fixed distance, above, and facing the receiver that contains plurality of light detectors placed in-line or area-wide. In this embodiment, light emitted toward the receiver, due to the motion of the object along the plane of plurality of light detectors of said receiver, energizes the specific detector, the place of which in the plurality of detectors is correlated with speed and direction of the object's propagation.

Yet, in another embodiment of the present invention the light emitter is positioned at some angle to and apart from the light receiver. Between the receiver and the emitter is placed means for reflect and/or refract said pulse of light (e.g. wedge optics). The wedge optics comprises the front beam splitter, which reflects light of specific characteristics and the back full mirror, which reflects all incoming light and which is located at specific angle to the front mirror.

In this embodiment, a beam of light is emitted toward the wedge optics. At the front mirror of the wedge optics, one part of the beam (a reference beam) is reflected directly toward the receiver and the other part (an information beam) is refracted toward the back mirror. From the back mirror, the information beam is reflected toward the receiver. The angle between the front and the back surfaces is chosen in such ways that after the second refraction the information beam joins the reference beam at the receiver. Since the wedge optics has different thickens at different points of the profile, the motion of the object that is in-line and along the emitter-wedge-receiver axis, places the emitted beam at different parts of the wedge hence changing correlation between characteristics of the beams. The detector measures that difference by which the velocity of the object is determined.

Some embodiments of present invention, include methods where a vector of velocity of an object in motion is determined by the time of arrival of light at the receiver.

Some embodiments of present invention, include methods where a vector of velocity of an object in motion is determined by comparing specific characteristics (e.g. frequency, polarization, etc.) of light that composed of elements of the required characteristics.

Each of the above-referenced aspects of the present invention, as well as the various embodiments are explained in further details below in connection with the Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment and the Claims section.

THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary section of an apparatus where an emitter and a receiver positioned in the same plane at fixed distance, across from, and facing each other and where light travels in vacuum in-line with a vector of velocity of said apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary section of another embodiment of an apparatus where a receiver is made of plurality of light detectors.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary section of an apparatus where an emitter and a receiver are placed in the same plane at fixed distance and apart from each other. The space between the emitter and the receiver as well as the opposing surface composed of means for reflect and/or refract light.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary section of an apparatus where an emitter and a receiver positioned in the same plane at fixed distance, across from, and facing each other and means for reflect and/or refract said light positioned in-line with said emitter/receiver plane, where light travels transverse to the vector of velocity.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an apparatus of the type made according to one of the embodiments of this invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of possible configuration of reflective and/or refractive means that illustrate light trajectories formed due to propagation of the apparatus shown in FIG. 5

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present disclosure will now be described more fully with reference to the Figures in which embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. The subject matter of this disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

The foundation of this novel apparatus is based on the well-established fact that a pulse of light (or light) travels in space (air vacuum) in a straight line, independent of any inertial system, and with a speed which is universally constant due to corpuscular-wave nature of light and photon's zero mass and zero electric charge (well defined and described in classic and quantum electrodynamics and special relativity).

Referring to FIG. 1, the fragmentary section of an apparatus (1) where an emitter (2) and a receiver (3) which positioned in the same plane at fixed distance, across from, and facing each other and where light (4) travels in-line with the vector of velocity of said apparatus.

To prevent possible inconsistencies, there is vacuum contained inside of the apparatus (1). Since the emitter and the receiver are at fixed distance from each other, the distinctive characteristics of arriving at said receiver (3) light (4), (e.g. timing) correlates with said velocity of said apparatus (1).

Referring now to FIG. 2 an apparatus (5) having, at the bottom a receiver containing plurality of light detectors (7). Located a vertical and fixed distance above the centered light detector (8) of the plurality of light (7) is a light emitter (6). The apparatus (5) is moving along the plane of the receiver with velocity “V”. To prevent possible inconsistencies, there is vacuum contained inside of the apparatus (5). At specific intervals, pulses of light are emitted from the light emitter (6) toward the plurality of light detectors (7). The light pulses move in the direction in which they are emitted in a straight line, unconditionally, and regardless of the apparatus' (5) motion and velocity, with the constant speed “c”. At the time when the light pulse reaches the plane of receiver (7), last moves away from the initial position, hence the light pulse activates specific light detector that is different from the centered light detector (8). The location of the activated peripheral light detector is proportional to the velocity “V” of the apparatus (5).

Referring now to FIG. 3, it shows an emitter (9) and a receiver (10) placed on the same side and at fixed distance from each other inside of the apparatus (14). The emitter/receiver side (12) and the opposing side (13) composed of means to reflect and/or refract light. To prevent possible inconsistencies, there is vacuum contained inside of the apparatus (14). A pulse of light (11) emitted toward the opposite to said emitter (9) side. Due to the object's motion with velocity “V” along its emitter-receiver axis the emitter (9) moves away from its position and the pulse of light (11) continuously travels between sides until the receiver (10) under the motion of an object's velocity “V” moved into contact with the pulse of light (11). Since speed of light in vacuum is universally constant and the distance between emitter and receiver has a finite and predetermine dimension, the time elapsed from the moment when light was emitted till the time when light received is proportional to the velocity of the object.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the fragmentary section of apparatus (15) shows an emitter (16) a receiver (17) positioned in the same plane at fixed distance, across from, and facing each other. Some distance from said emitter (16) along the emitter/receiver axis positioned means for reflect and/or refract light (18). The beam of light (19) emitted along the emitter/receiver axis that is transverse to the velocity of propagation of said apparatus (15). The means for reflect and/or refract light (18) has optical characteristics that are varies in-line with the vector of velocity of the apparatus (15). To prevent possible inconsistencies, there is vacuum contained inside of the apparatus (15). Position of light and its interaction with means for reflect and/or refract light (18) alter characteristics of light at said receiver in accordance with the velocity of the apparatus (15).

Referring to FIG. 5, the perspective view shows an emitter (21), a receiver (22), means for reflect and/or refract light made in the form of a wedge optics (hereafter the wedge) (23) which are interconnected within rigid apparatus frame (hereafter the apparatus) (20). To prevent possible inconsistencies, there is vacuum contained inside of the apparatus (20), which moves along emitter-wedge-receiver plane with velocity “V”. A beam of light (24) is emitted along the path (25) toward the wedge (23). At the point of contact with the wedge (23), one part of the beam (25) is reflected toward the receiver (22) creating a reference beam (26) and the other part is refracted inside of the wedge (23) creating an information beam (27). At the back surface of the wedge (23), the refracted beam (27) further reflected back toward the front of the wedge where it is refracted again. The last refraction put the information beam (27) on its path toward the receiver (22). The length of the trajectory of the information beam (27) inside of the wedge (23) changes arrival time and/or light characteristics between the information (27) and reference (26) beams at the receiver (22). Those measurable changes are proportional to the thickness of the wedge (23) and internal trajectory of the beam (27).

Referring now to FIG. 6, we will describe the process on which our apparatus (20) is built. The optical wedge (28) shown in phantom line denoted position of the apparatus (20) when said apparatus is in stationary position (V=0). In that position, the beam of light (30) is emitted toward the wedge (28). At the point “A” the beam of light (30) intersect front of the wedge, where one part of the beam of light is reflected toward the receiver and the other part is refracted inside of the wedge (28). At the back surface of the wedge (28) the refracted beam further reflected back toward the front of the wedge (28) creating trajectory (31). The length of the trajectory (31) is proportionally changes arrival time and/or light characteristics between the reflected or reference beam and the refracted or information beam at the receiver.

Under the velocity “V”, the apparatus (20) is moved inline with the emitter-wedge-receiver plane. When the apparatus (20) was in stationary position, the beam of light (30) was emitted toward the wedge. By the time the beam of light (30) reaches the wedge, the last, as a part of the apparatus in motion under velocity “V”, moves into position denoted on FIG. 6 by the wedge (29) which is displayed in solid lines.

At the point “B”, the beam of light (30) intersects front of the wedge (29). At that point, similarly to the process described above, one part of the beam of light is reflected toward the receiver and the other part is refracted inside of the wedge (29). In this case the trajectory (32) of the light path inside of the wedge (29) is different (longer) from the trajectory (31), hence arrival time and/or light characteristics between the reflected and the refracted beams at the receiver is different from the characteristics created by the trajectory (31). Having constancy of physical dimensions inside of the apparatus and universal constancy of the speed of light in vacuum (c=3×10⁸ m/sec), the difference between the trajectories (31) and (32) is proportional to the velocity of the apparatus (20). 

1. Velometer as an apparatus that detects and measures an object's own velocity from within and function of which is based on measurements of the displacement of said object in relation to independent and straight-line propagation of electromagnetic media e.g. light (thereafter light) in vacuum within the same object and having a light emitter (thereafter emitter) and a light receiver (thereafter receiver) positioned in the same plane at fixed distance, across from, and facing each other where said pulse of light travels in vacuum inline with the path of said object's direction of travel.
 2. Velometer as an apparatus that detects and measures an object's own velocity as defined of claim 1 wherein said pulse of light travels in vacuum transverse to the path of said object's direction of travel.
 3. A method of internal detection and measurement of an apparatus' own velocity as defined of claim 1 wherein said velocity of said object is measured in terms of elapsed time of said pulse of light travel in vacuum between said emitter and said receiver.
 4. A method of internal detection and measurement of an apparatus' own velocity as defined of claim 1 wherein said velocity of said object is measured in terms of changes of distinctive characteristics of said pulse of light at said receiver.
 5. Velometer as an apparatus that detects and measures an object's own velocity from within and function of which is based on measurements of the displacement of said object in relation to independent and straight-line propagation of light in vacuum within the same object comprising the steps of: positioning an emitter and a receiver that contains plurality of light detectors in said at a fixed distance and apart from each other in said apparatus in the same plane in direction which extends transverse to the direction of travel of said object, emitting a pulse of light toward a fixed point on said receiver.
 6. A method of internal detection and measurement of an apparatus' own velocity as defined of claim 5 wherein said velocity of said object is measured in terms of determining the extent to which said pulse of light, upon arrival at said receiver, is offset from said fixed point.
 7. Velometer as an apparatus that detects and measures an object's own velocity from within and function of which is based on the measurements of displacement of said object in relation to independent and straight-line propagation of light in vacuum within the same object comprising the steps of: positioning an emitter and a receiver in said apparatus at fixed distance in same plane and in direction which extends transverse to the direction of travel of said object; having opposing sides comprising of means for reflect and/or refract said pulse of light; emitting a pulse of light toward an opposing side where said pulse of light travels transverse to said velocity of said object and said receiver moves into position to be in the path with said pulse of light.
 8. A method of internal detection and measurement of an apparatus' own velocity as defined of claim 7 wherein said velocity of said object is measured in terms of elapsed time of said pulse of light travel in vacuum between said emitter and said receiver.
 9. A method of internal detection and measurement of an apparatus' own velocity as defined of claim 7 wherein said velocity of said object is measured in terms of changes of distinctive characteristics of said pulse of light at said receiver.
 10. Velometer as an apparatus that detects and measures an object's own velocity from within and function of which is based on the measurements of displacement of said object in relation to independent and straight-line propagation of light in vacuum within the same object comprising the steps of: positioning an emitter and a receiver in said apparatus at angle to each other at fixed distance in same plane in direction which extends across the direction of travel of said object; having said means for reflect and/or refract said pulse of light positioned along said emitter/receiver plane; emitting a beam of light toward said means for reflect and/or refract said pulse of light where one part of the beam (a reference beam) is reflected directly toward said receiver and the other part the beam (an information beam) is refracted toward the back surface where said information beam is reflected back toward said receiver;
 11. A method of internal detection and measurement of an apparatus' own velocity as defined of claim 10 wherein said velocity of said object is measured in terms of elapsed time of said pulse of light travel in vacuum between said emitter and said receiver.
 12. A method of internal detection and measurement of an apparatus' own velocity as defined of claim 10 wherein said velocity of said object is measured in terms of changes of distinctive characteristics of said pulse of light at said receiver.
 13. An apparatus containing Velometer as defined in claims 1, 5, 7, 10 wherein said information on the movement of the apparatus in space collected in two perpendicular planes or along the three axes, to provide information on the movement of the apparatus in three-dimensional space. 